Qiao Xing Mobile Communication Co., Ltd. (NYSE: QXM) grew 14.1 percent in price Thursday to $5.75. Volume of 1,242,177 shares proved better than five times its normal daily volume. QXM is among the leading players in the molybdenum-mining business.

Sprint Nextel Corp. (NYSE: S) did fair volume Thursday, trading in 54,001,396 shares, nosing out its daily average. Prices for the stock inched up 0.7 percent to $4.65, after revealing its leading role in collaboration with UL Environment in the development of a new international sustainability standard for mobile devices.

Avalon Rare Metals Inc. (AMEX: AVL) was punished 12.3 percent in Thursday trading to $6.40. Volume for the stock was 6,431,980 shares, nearly five times its daily average. AVL is a mineral exploration and development company focused on rare metals deposits in Canada.